The class of 2016 at Northern Kentucky University will be the first in the school to embrace a newly designed student ID card. Last year, the student government association at NKU created a contest that allowed community members to create their own model of the school's All Card in an effort to boost awareness and school spirit, according to a report by student-run newspaper the Northerner.

"The whole thing started about this time last year when Dustin Robinson, former SGA president, approached me with the idea of coming up with a student designed ID card," Ward Wenstrup, operations manager at All Card administration, told the newspaper. "I thought it was a great idea."

In addition to the overall design of the card, NKU administrators also made the change to imprint the student identification number on the badge. Unlike the traditional ISO number that was on the old cards, the ID numerals are similar to Social Security numbers in the sense that they help individuals with their financial demands, the Northerner said.

"I think it's very positive to see the design being well received," Wenstrup said, according to the Northerner. "I truly appreciate the student-submitted design but anything that makes the kids excited about their card, I'm all for it."

According to NKU officials, every student, faculty and staff member is required to have an All Card with a photograph and ID number for identification and access control purposes. Although the newly designed ID card is different from the older model, individuals are not yet required to make the change. By creating a new design, however, individuals may be less inclined to lose it and, as a result, lose the abilities that come with it.